To judge or not to judge? That is the question!
We are all going to be judged one day by God, the one and only true judge who knows each of our hearts and the motive behind our deeds, good or bad. Romans 2:5-11, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Matthew 12:36, 1 Corinthians 4:5.
We all judge or have judged. I pray for his mercy! Is it righteous or does it show favoritism? James 2:1-3 Have we heard the whole story? Proverbs 18:13
We are all going to be judged by someone at some point and time. Like it or not. Is the judgement merciful or with the same measure you want to be judged with? James 2:13, Romans 2:1-4, Matthew 7:2 Have you first judged yourself and removed your own plank? Matthew 7:3-5
The Bible gives scripture that both supports judging and when not to judge and standards to judge by! Romans 2:1-3, Romans 14, James 4:11-12, John 7:24 and so many more!
I guess my question is this...which scriptures or parts of scriptures do we believe? Most assuredly the one that say don't judge! But do we understand why it says don't? I hear and see all the time,"judge not lest you be judged" (out of context), don't be judging, stop judging, look in the mirror, check yourself first, who are you to judge, y'all need to just love! Do you know what love is? Just asking! But what about scripture that says to judge or as we like to hear it said, discern, because that sounds less threatening? There definitions are very much the same; judging or discerning good or evil. Do we believe those as well? Do we practice it? Not too much really! The world has told us to stop, therefore, we have. The world, satan, would have us to not judge because it creates confusion, deception, tolerance, and essentially a comfortable place to sin. God's been turned into an "it's all good" kinda God! Not so! He is a jealous God and commands obedience! And, he is not a God of confusion, but of peace. It's a vicious cycle, but the cycle can be broken if we choose to believe all the scriptures! Be careful to read all the scripture not just 1 verse as you may be missing out on important instructions. Practice righteousness and humility and turn from self-righteousness and arrogance.
So where does this leave us in a world full of human judgement? Here's my thoughts:
You can agree or disagree, either way is fine! It's my thought pattern that helps to keep me humble in his word and growing, not without fault.
If I am being judged then I must ask myself a few questions.
Is it referring to my past? If so, have I overcome it, repented of it, been forgiven? If so, then I can say thanks for the reminder of just how wonderful God's grace and forgiveness is! I can rejoice in praise for it is with his strength I have overcome! I do not labor in the past but strain forward to the goal, the reward, the prize. If I have not overcome it or am still living in it then again I can choose to be thankful. I can choose to say thank you for bringing that to my attention. I do need forgiveness, I do need his strength so that I can become more like Jesus! Hallelujah because in this satan and sin in my life can be defeated!
Is it about my present state? Is it true? If so, again, thank you Lord for sending this messenger of truth to open my eyes to this part of me that still needs healing, or this sin that I need to turn from and repent of, this habit that keeps others from seeing you in me, or whatever the case may be. Ex. 2 Samuel 12:13-14 David suffered the consequence of his sin even tho he repented when his sin was brought before him by Nathan. His sin caused the enemies of The Lord to show utter contempt toward God. We too suffer the consequences but I am thankful to have the error of my way corrected. See Psalm 32 & 51. If, however, the judgement is not true then I have full confidence in God and I can pray for wisdom and understanding. I know that these kinds of words come from possibly jealousy, or a bitter heart, and satan using otherwise good people as his tool of disparity and discouragement. Once again I am faced with a choice. I hope that I remember to smile and give thanks for my God, my redeemer, my deliverer who has set me free! I can rejoice in prayer, lifting the messenger up with words of encouragement before my God who loves me!
If it is a vicious judgement about my future I must consider if this judgement is based upon human opinion or the scripture. If it is scriptural, I consider it, believe it and give it to Jesus, the King of Kings knowing full well that he has a plan and only he knows the outcome. I have been the given the knowledge and understanding that his ways are to prosper me, to give me hope and a future and never to harm me! If, on the other hand, it is merely human opinion then it is what it is and I will choose to speak truth into their ears about God's promises! Jeremiah 29:11 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises 2 Peter 3:9, and in 2 Peter 1:3-21 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Continue to read for yourselves. See 1 Timothy 4
See being judged doesn't have to be a bad thing! Being judged can bring us growth and maturity in Christ and sometimes may actually save a brother from the error of his way and save him from death, James 5:19. We have no need however to pick each other apart because when we do we set ourselves for the same judgement and we put ourselves above the law that commands to love God and our neighbors; therefore giving us justification by a set of standards that are not God's, James 4. Check your judgement against God's word. Is it good or evil? Love what is good and hate what is evil! Consider Colossians 2:16. I have considered and understand that I have been guilty of judging without realizing I was judging, but in this I ask God's guidance, revelation and forgiveness. It's so easy to judge and not even mean to be or realizing that you are. However, christians without judgement how will we follow the command to restore those who have fallen away? Galatians 6:1,2 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Judging the world is not ours to do. But of Christians? Yes! In 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 we are told who not to associate with and Paul wasn't talking about the world otherwise we would have to leave the world. He says anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolator, slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such do not even eat! Imagine that! In case you think these are just works from a man read 1 Corinthians 14:37. I could go on but I will stop here for now. Jesus says those that reject his words will be judged by his words.
I, personally, feel judged when something within me is being called out(sin,shame, guilt, pride,etc) and I don't want to confront it. So let your judgement be sound and not with hypocrisy, by appearance or condemnation or for justification, but with love and gentleness and righteousness as one who speaks the words of God, 1 Peter 4:8-11..above all love each other deeply. Its time for judgement and it begins right here with us who are christians. 1 Peter 4:17-19. Choose wisely!
I will leave you with this from Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
From the heart,
Stephanie G. © 9/27/14
